Bhubaneswar, Dec. 17: Veteran Odia writer Bibhuti Patnaik will receive the Sahitya Akademi Award for 2015 for his short story collection Mahishashurara Muhan.

At a time when the intolerance debate has gripped the country, Patnaik's award holds particular relevance as the book talks about the common man's protest against the establishment and the unsympathetic attitude of the government.

Patnaik feels that there is an urgent need for the government to safeguard an individual's freedom of expression, especially the writers.

Calling for an immediate ban on communal forces, the 78-year-old said: "Although intolerance has always been prevalent in India, it has reached an extreme stage today. Writers are getting murdered and that has hampered the secular beliefs of the people. Until the security of expression is granted, the country cannot develop."

Patnaik had recently called a convention, seeking support from people against intellectual intolerance that, he feels, is curtailing the freedom of expression.

He has been a prolific writer throughout his career and has more than 50 novels to his name. His works have been described by many as the trendsetter of socialist realism in Odia novels. He had received the Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award in 1985 for his novel Aswamedhara Ghoda.

His other popular novels include Sesha Basanta, Abhimana, Trutiya Purusha, Badhu Nirupama, Prathama Sakala and Sesha Ratira Surya.

The author feels that there is an interest among readers for Odia literature but they are not easily available.

"The prices of most books are high and not affordable for youngsters in the rural areas. Most of the public libraries are not functional. Publishers, voluntary organisations and the government should work together to make Odia books accessible to every one," he said.

He further stressed that Odia books should be made available on various online platforms to ensure a better reach.

At present, Patnaik is working on another short story collection and his autobiography. "The book is set for a release in January. It is titled Jeevana Patra Mo Bharicha Kete Mote - a line from a song written by the late poet Baikunthanath Pattnaik," he said.

Patnaik will receive the award that includes a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh at a function on February 16 in New Delhi, announced the Sahitya Akademi in a press statement today.